Meet Dr. Ingrid Larragoity-Martin | Executive Director & Conductor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Ingrid Larragoity-Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Ingrid, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Passion and integrity have been the most important drivers of success in my life. I found that pursuing those things I am most passionate about, the power of music and education, make it easier for me to maintain the integrity needed for excellence in any aspect of what I do. Because I believe so wholeheartedly in what I do and who I do it for, it creates an intrinsic motivation and keeps me grounded and authentic. Success is never a straight path, but staying true to what I love and who I serve has guided me toward excellence and impact

What should our readers know about your business?
El Sistema Colorado is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through free, high-quality music education. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to accessibility: every child, regardless of socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to thrive musically and personally in our nurturing community.

We are most proud of seeing students not only develop as musicians but also as confident, compassionate leaders. Over 13 years, we have served more than 2,000 children and families, each bringing their own story, energy, and dreams to our community. Our innovation has been to center families in the learning journey, making parents active partners and supporters of their children’s growth.

The journey to where we are today has not always been easy. Like many organizations, we’ve had to navigate financial constraints, shifting educational landscapes, and the challenge of growing while staying true to our mission. We overcame these barriers by building strong partnerships, listening closely to our community, and embracing change with creativity and resilience.

A lesson learned along the way is the importance of community—no progress is made alone. Every milestone and moment of joy comes from the dedication of our team, the support of our donors, and the participation of our families and students.

We want the world to know that music has the power to change lives, create connections, and inspire hope. El Sistema Colorado represents more than music education—it’s a movement for equity, opportunity, and joyful transformation. Our story is one of people coming together to build something brighter, one note at a time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Reading remains one of my biggest support systems throughout my life. I was introduced to one very special book by one of my many mentors in life early on in college. ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran has been a lifelong companion—serving as my mentor, guide, and source of inspiration. Its poetic wisdom always meets me where I am, offering gentle insights and room for growth each time I revisit it. I encourage anyone I meet to spend some time with it.

Website: https://elsistemacolorado.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ElSistemaColorado

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/el-sistema-co

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ElSistemaColorado